Package construction for carrying horizontal superposed articles



United States Patent 9/1952 Fisher..............

uunmm k mm m m m m mmm .lS e k r. .0 C em mm ummm m sfi r mo l e .ln CO ADwwFsMRD 924667023 566666666 999999999 111111111 ll/l/ll/l 687405 703763 049 2227683993 ,9 w 75675 6 5563359 -J 2233333233 m k m o o 0 Y Y Y W W m r e e MWdN k 11h k w am n w v. 6 YBZ M Y nw m I sb ale 1 06 ar sN- FNLPFN s r 0 de m mm Wmmm a .m AFPA .I. 11.1] 2 253 7 2247 l [[[l X N w 9 R 9 2 2 s T m N E m T m A P .w mm mm 0 F3 6 9 H 4 3 4 4 4 2 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Lilling and Siegel [51] Int..

206/65C, 65E, 414.12, 56A4; 220/1 12, 229/52Bcur.

[50] Fieldol'Search.............

ABSTRACT: This invention is essentially concerned with a package for carrying superposed articles, wherein a lower article rests on a bottom wall, and sidewalls upstand from op- [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 7/1934 Lowman.......................

posite sides of the bottom wall and are provided with inwardly extending tabs overlying the lower article f0 ticle over the lower article.

r supporting an ar- Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet 1 of 5.

STANLEY R. KOOLNIS am QN H \M Qw MN: h

r mm) Q R. m mm i x mm m N\\ A mm g mm @w 8 5. m% g S Patented Nov. 17*, 1970 3,540,581

Sheet 5 of 5 INVI'INI'UH. STANLEY R. KOOLNIS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet g of s llmlll INVIsHV/OH. STANLEY R KOOLNIS A 'MmrN/C Y Patented Nov. 17, 1970 Sheet 5 of 5 ATTORNEY PACKAGE CONSTRUCTION FOR CARRYING HORIZONTAL SUPERPOSED ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, in the packaging of cans and the like, attempts to package larger numbers of such articles, say one dozen, or superposed rows of articles, say three or more rows, have required conventional corrugated board cartons. Such cartons are relatively expensive, lacking convenient portability, and their appearance does not enhance attractiveness of the purchaser.

SUMMARY It is an important object of the present invention to provide a unique and highly improved package construction capable of carrying large numbers of cans or like articles, which may be arranged in three or more superposed rows, and which is admirably suited for manufacture from paperboard, to effect substantial savings in cost and overall size of the package.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a package which is uniquely attractive and distinctive in appearance, capable of being stacked in any desired disposition, and adapted to incorporate open regions for exposing the contents to view.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction herein after described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view ofa blank adapted to be formed into a container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a blank of FIG. 1 folded for shipment;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view showing a packed container of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 and enlarged for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

lit

connected to the bottom wall panel by the score line 23. .The sidewall panels 26 and 27 are longitudinally coextensive with the bottom wall panel 21. and generally congruent to each other. In addition'to the score line 22, the sidewall panel 26 is bounded at opposite ends by a pair of parallel end score lines 28 and 29, in respective alignment with bottom wall panel end edges 24' and 25, and a score line 30 extending parallel to the score line 22 between the end score lines 28 and 29. The

sidewall panel 27 is similarly bounded by its hinged connection or score line 23 and a parallel score line 31, while opposite ends of the sidewall panel 27 are bounded by parallel score lines 32 and 33 respectively aligned with bottom wall panel end edges 24 and 25 and extending between the longitudinal score lines 23 and 31.

The bottom wall panel 21 may be provided. adjacent to each corner thereof, with a securement formation or opening, as at 35, 36, 37 and 38. The securement openings -38 are thus located in a rectangular arrangement within the bottom wall panel 21.

The sidewall panel 26 is provided with a plurality of U- shaped cuts 40 arranged in a row in adjacent, parallel spaced relation with respect to the longitudinal fold line 22. The U- shaped cuts 40 may be located with their bight portions remote from the fold line 22, and each provided with a fold line 41 extending between the free ends of the legs of the respective cuts. An additional row of generally U-shaped cuts 42 is arranged in parallel spaced relation between the row of U-shaped cuts 40 and the fold line 30. The cuts 42 may have their bight portions remote from the fold line 30, and are each provided with a fold line or crease 43 extending between the free ends of the cut legs.

The cuts 40 and 42 of each row are substantially equally spaced from each other, while the several cuts of one row are in respective adjacent alignment with the several cuts of the other row in parallelism with the score lines 28 and 29.

The sidewall panel 27 is similarly formed with a row of U- shaped cuts 45 arranged in equally spaced relation, in spaced, adjacent parallelism with the fold line or crease 23. The U shaped cuts 45 are in respective alignment with the U-shaped cuts 40 parallel to the end edges 24 and 25, with their bights remote from the crease 23, and each having a fold line or crease 46 extending between the free ends of the cut legs.

An additional row of U-shaped cuts 47 is located in parallel spaced relation between the row of cuts 45 and the crease or fold line 31, with the cuts 47 each in alignment with a respective cut 45 parallel to the end creases 32 and 33. The cuts 47 I are arranged with their bight portions remote from the crease FIG. 7 is a partial top perspective view similar to FIG. 3, but

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1, a blank is there generally designated 20, and may advantageously be formed of an integral sheet of stiff flexible material, such as container board or paperboard. The integral sheet of blank 20 is cut and scored to define a generally rectangular bottom wall panel 21 bounded on opposite sides by parallel side scores 22 and 23, and bounded at opposite ends by parallel end edges 24 and 25. A pair of generally rectangular side wall panels 26 and 27 extend from opposite sides of the bottom wall panel 21, the sidewall panel 26 being hingedly connected to the bottom wall panel 21 by the score line 22, and the sidewall panel 27 being hingedly 31, and are each provided with a crease or fold line 48 extending between the free ends of the cut legs.

It will now be appreciated that the several cuts 40, 42, 45 and 47, combine with their respective creases 41, 43. 46 and 48 to define tabs 50, 51, 52 and 53, respectively. The tabs 50- 53 are each swingable out of the plane of the respective sidewall panel about their fold lines 41, 43, 46 and 48 to extend generally perpendicular to the sidewall panels in parallelism with the longitudinal creases 22, 23, 30 and 31, for purposes appearing more fully hereinafter.

In the instant embodiment, the tab fold lines 41 are all in alignment with each other, as are the tab fold lines 43, and further, the tab fold lines 41 and 43 are located to subdivide the sidewall panel 26 into equal intervals along its end creases 28 and 29. The tab fold lines 46 and 48 are similarly in respective alignment and located at equally spaced intervals between the creases 23 and 31.

An outer top wall panel 55, of generally rectangular configuration, is longitudinally coextensive with the sidewall panel 26, and hingedly connected thereto along the crease 30. In addition to the crease 30, the top wall panel 55 is bounded at its ends by end edges 56 and 57, in substantial alignment with respective creases 28 and 29, and at its outer side by a side edge 58 generally parallel to the crease 30. The outer top wall panel 55 may be substantially congruent to the bottom wall panel 21, and is provided adjacent to respective corners thereof with a rectangular arrangement of securement formations or openings 59, 60, 61 and 62. Also, the outer top wall panel 55, may have applied on one face thereof a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive, or other suitable securing means, as at 63; and, one or more handhold openings, such as a pair of parallel spaced transversely extending handhold openings 64 and 65, may be formed through the top wall panel 55.

Extending from the fold line or crease 31, and longitudinally coextensive therewith, is an inner top wall panel 67, of generally rectangular formation, being bounded, in addition to the fold line 31, by end edges 68 and 69 in respective alignment with creases 32 and 33, and a side edge 70 generally parallel to the crease 31. The inner top wall panel 67 may be generally congruent to the outer top wall panel 55, even to the location and arrangement of securement formations or openings 71, 72, 73 and 74, as well as the handhold openings 75 and 76.

Extending, from opposite ends of the sidewall panel 26, hinged thereto by respective end creases 28 and 29, are end flange panels 78 and 79, each being of generally rectangular formation and coextensive with the adjacent hinged connection. The end flange panel 78 is bounded, in addition to the crease 28, by parallel creases or fold lines 80 and 81 in respective alignment with fold lines 30 and 22, and an outer edge 82 extending between fold lines 80 and 81 generally parallel to the crease 28. Extending from respective creases 80 and 81, and thereby hingedly connected to the end flange panel 78, are respective flaps 83 and 84, each of which carries a securement member or headed extension 85 and 86, respectively.

The end flange panel 79 is similar to the end flange panel 78, and is bounded, in addition to the crease 29, by a pair of fold lines 87 and 88 in respective alignment with creases 30 and 22, and an outer edge 89 extending between the fold lines 87 and 88 generally parallel to the crease 29. A pair of flaps 90 and 91 extend from and are hingedly connected to the flange panel 79 by respective creases 87 and 88, each carrying a securement extension or headed member 92 and 93, respectively.

At opposite ends of the sidewall panel 27 extending therefrom and hingedly connected thereto by respective creases 32 and 33 are generally rectangular end flange panels 98 and 99, which may be similar to respective end flange panels 78 and 79. Thus, the end flange panel 98 may be generally rectangular, substantially coextensive with and bounded on one side by the crease 32, being further bounded by parallel folds or creases 100 and 101 in respective alignment with fold lines 23 and 31, and bounded on its outer side by an edge 102 extending parallel to crease 32 between the creases 100 and 101. Extending from respective creases 100 and 101, and hingedly connected thereby to end flange panel 98, are flaps 103 and 104, each carrying a securement member or headed extension, 105 and 106, respectively.

The end flange panel 99 is also generally rectangular, being bounded by the crease 33, a pair of generally parallel creases or fold lines 107 and 108, respectively aligned with creases 23 and 31, and an edge 109 extending generally parallel to crease 33 between creases 107 and 108. A pair of flaps 110 and 111 extend from and are hingedly connected to flange panel 99 by creases 107 and 108, respectively; and, securement members or headed extensions 112 and 113 project from respective flaps 110 and 111.

In addition, there may be formed a pair of generally parallel perforate or weakened lines 113 extending in a generally U- shaped path inward from edge 82 of flange panel 78 through the latter, and past the crease 28, thence arcuately through panel 26, and again past crease 28, and through panel 78 to edge 82. This defines a generally U-shaped strip 114, between the lines of weakening 113, adapted to be removed upon severance of the weakened lines for a purpose appearing presently.

A similar pair of perforate or weakened lines 115 extending in a generally U-shaped configuration inward from edge 102 of flange panel 98 through the latter, and past crease 32,

thence arcuately through panel 27 and returning again past crease 32 and through panel 98 to edge 102. A generally U- shaped removal strip 116 is defined between the weakened lines 115, substantially identical to the removal strip 114.

It will be appreciated that the strips 114 and 116 maybe similarly formed either through flange panels 79 and 99 for location at the opposite side, and, at the bottom portion of the container adjacent panel 21, as shown, or at the upper portion of the container adjacent panels 55 and 67 respectively.

An early stage in formation of the instant container is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the panels 27 and 67 have been swung about the crease 23 to overlie the panels 21 and 26. The panel 55 has then been swung about crease 30 into overlying relation with the panel 67, being adhesively or otherwise secured thereto by securement means 63, or other. In the condition of FIG. 2, the device 20a may be considered as a folded or collapsed container, occupying a minimum of space for storage and shipment, and ready to be set up and filled.

The setup and filled condition is shown in FIG. 3, the device 20b there being the erected container of generally rectangular configuration and containing three superposed rows of generally cylindrical articles or cans, the cans of the lowermost row being designated 120, the cans of the next upper row being designated 121, and the cans of the uppermost row being designated 122.

As is apparent from FIGS. 3-6 and 9, the erected container 20b has been formed from the blank 20 of FIG. 1, corresponding parts being correspondingly numbered, and the container includes a generally rectangular bottom wall 21 and a pair of generally rectangular sidewalls 27 and 26 upstanding in opposed relation from opposite sides of the bottom wall. A generally rectangular top wall is defined by the overlying inner top wall panel 67 and outer top wall panel 55.

The contained articles or ca'ns 120 of the lower row are disposed in side-by-side relation, resting on and extending transversely across the bottom wall 21 having their ends contiguous to the sidewalls 26 and 27. The lower rows of flaps 50 and 52 of respective sidewalls 26 and 27 are swunglinwardly, so that aligned pairs of flaps extend toward and terminate short of each other, each substantially overlying the centerline ofa respective can 120. As best seen in FIG. 4, aligned pairs of flaps 50 and 52 are disposed in a plane normal to the sidewalls 26 and 27, parallel to and spaced over the bottom wall 21. The next lower or intermediate cans 121 are also disposed in sideby-side relation extending transversely of the bottom wall 21,

each being disposed directly over a respective lower can 120, so that spaced locations or opposite end portions of the cans 121 rest on and are substantially supported by respective aligned pairs of tabs 50 and 52.

The upper rows of tabs 51 and 53 are swung inwardly, so that aligned pairs thereof extend toward and terminate short of each other, lying in a plane generally normal to the sidewalls 26 and 27 and in spaced parallelism over the bottom wall 21. Further the aligned pairs of tabs 51 and 53 each substantially overlie the centerline of a respective nether article or can 121, and serve to provide substantial support to an upper can 122. The cans 122 of the upper row are disposed in side-by-side relation with each other transversely of the bottom wall 21, and each is located directly over a next lower can 121, the upper cans each resting at its opposite ends on a respective aligned pair of tabs 51 and 53, which afford substantial support to the adjacent upper can.

In addition, the end flanges 78 and 98 are swung inwardly toward each other about their respective hinged connections 28 and 32, to lie in substantial coplanarity normal to the sidewalls 26 and 27, and the bottom and top walls 21 and 55, 67. The flaps 83 and 104 of end flanges 78 and 98 are swung about their hinged connections and 101' to overlie the top wall panel 55, and the securement members and 106 are engaged through aligned securement openings 60 and 71, and 59 and 72. Swung beneath the bottom wall 21 are flaps 84 and 103, about their respective hinged connections 81 and 100, with the securement members 86 and extending through respective securement openings 35 and 36.

The remaining adjacent pair of end flanges 79 and 99 are similarly swung into coplanar relation at the opposite end of the container b, the upper flaps 90 and 111 being folded over the upper top wall panel 55 with securement members 92 and 113 passed through aligned securement openings 62 and 73, and 61 and 74. The lower end flaps 91 and 110 are similarly swung beneath the bottom wall 21 and securement members 93 and 112 engaged through respective openings 37 and 38. It will now be appreciated as from FIG. 3, that the coplanar end flanges, as 78 and 98, terminate short of each other to leave a substantial opening therebetween for visual access to the contents.

It is understood that alternatively the end flanges 78 and 98 and/or 79 and 99 may be coextensive with the edges 24 and 25 of panel 21, or otherwise, for either abutting or overlapping engagement thus to close the opening in the end portions of the container 20b if desired.

Also, there is no need for great strength at the container ends, as the containers are substantially supported in their superposed relation without end support. That is, the intermediate cans 121 and upper cans 122 rest on tabs 5053, which tabs are disposed in a horizontal plane; and further, the material of the tabs is effectively pinched or squeezed, as best seen at 125 in FIGS. 5 and 6, so that rolling of the cans is prevented or resisted. Further, a substantial proportion of the weight of the intermediate cans 121 and 122 is transmitted through the support tabs 50-53 to the sidewalls 26 and 27, and thereby removed from the bottom wall 21. In this manner, the strength and weight of the card stock may be minimized to effect substantial savings in cost. Further, by the tab depression or squeezing, as at 125 in FIGS. 5 and 6, the contained articles 120-122 serve as tie members, tying together the opposite sidewalls 26 and 27 at the tab locations. This produces a total package of relatively rigid construction, well able to stand abuse in handling.

In FIG. 7 is shown the package 20b, wherein removal of the tear strips 114 and 116 has been initiated. it will be observed that the tear strips 114 and 116 are located at lower regions of the end flanges 78 and 98, and extend into adjacent regions of the sidewalls 26 and 27. Removal of the tear strips 114 and 116 has been completed in FIG. 8, to effect substantially ranged in three superposed rows of four cans each. it is apcomplete removal of the lower regions of the end flanges. In

this manner, a lowermost article or can 120 may be removed in the direction of arrow 126 in FIG. 8, whereupon the next upper cam will fall into position for subsequent removal.

In FIG. 10 is shown a slightly modified embodiment of blank, generally designated 20c, wherein the bottom wall panel 21, sidewall panels 26 and 27, and end flange panels 78, 79, 98 and 99 may all be substantially identical to the blank 20 of FIG. 1.

The inner top wall panel 670 may be substantially identical to the inner top wall panel 67 of the first-described embodiment, but may be provided with an outwardly extending securing member or glue flap 128 secured to the panel by a fold line 70c.

The outer top wall panel 550 may be similar to the outer top wall panel 55 in the first-described embodiment, but is also provided with an outwardly extending securement member or glue flap 129 secured to the outer top wall panel by a fold line or crease 58c. In addition, the handhold openings 64c and 650 may be provided with locking flaps 130 and 131 respectively engageable through openings 75 and 76 of the inner top wall panel for securement therebeneath. This affords a substantial reinforcement of the top wall construction with minimal additional cost.

It will also be appreciated that the adhesive securement means 63 may be eliminated and the panels 550 and 670 held in closing relation by either the locking flaps 130 and 131 engageable as aforesaid, or by other securement means such as paper locks or flaps similar to 104, 106, etc., extending from panel 128 and engageable in like manner in openings that may be provided in corresponding underlying panels.

While the device of the instant invention has been primarily developed and employed for use in a l2-can package, ar-

1 tained may be varied. as desired.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a package construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adaptedto meet practical conditions of manufacture, setup, filling and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

1. A package construction comprising a bottom wall, a lower row of generally cylindrical articles lying in side-by-side adjacent relation transversely on said bottom wall. a pair of opposed sidewalls usptanding from opposite sides of said bottom wall adjacent to opposite ends of said articles, a plurality of aligned pairs of lower support tabs extending inwardly from opposite sidewalls with each pair overlying the centerline of a respective article of said lower row, an intermediate row of generally cylindrical articles each directly over a respective article of said lower row and having its opposite ends resting on a respective aligned pair of said lower support tabs, a plurality of aligned pairs of upper support tabs extending inwardly from opposite sidewalls with each pair overlying the centerline of a respective article of said intermediate row, an upper row of generally cylindrical articles each directly over a respective article of said intermediate row and having its op posite ends resting on a respective aligned pair of said upper support tabs, a top wall extending between said sidewalls over said upper row of articles, end flanges on the ends of said sidewalls extending inwardly toward and terminating short of each other to have an opening therebetween, securing means securing said end flanges to said top and bottom walls, and one adjacent pair of said flanges being formed with lines of severance for removal of opposing regions of said one pair of flanges, to define a dispensing opening for removal of articles from said package.

2. A blank for a carry pack for cans and like articles, said blank comprising in side-by-side relation; a bottom wall panel, a pair of sidewall panels hingedly connected at their one sides to opposite sides of said bottom wall panel, a pair of inner and outer top wall panels hingedly connected to a respective opposite other side of said sidewall panels; a flange panel hingedly connected to each of the other opposite sides of both of said sidewall panels; at least one pair of support tabs, one of each pair of support tabs in each of said sidewall panels; said pair of support tabs being oppositely disposed and bendable inwardly toward each other when the blank is in an erected condition, and including a pair of generally parallel perforate lines extending in a generally U-shaped path inward from the ends of at least one pair of flange panels through said panels and thence arcuately through a portion of a respectively adjacent side panel and thence again through a respective flange panel, defining U-shaped strips adapted to be removed upon severance of the said perforate lines.

3. A blank for a carry pack for cans and like articles, said blank comprising in side-by-side relation; a bottom wall panel, a pair of sidewall panels hingedly connected at their one sides to opposite sides of said bottom wall panel, a pair of inner and outer top wall panels hingedly connected to a respective opposite other side of said sidewall panels; a flange panel hingedly connected to each of the other opposite sides of both of said sidewall panels; at least one pair of support tabs, one of each pair of support tabs in each of said sidewall panels; said pair of support tabs being oppositely disposed and bendable inwardly toward each other when the blank is an erected condition, and including a glue flap hingedly connected to the side of said inner or outer top wall panel opposite to the side connected to a respective sidewall panel.

4. A blank for a carry pack for cans and like articles according to claim 3, wherein each of said flange panels have securement extension members at each of the ends thereof, and said bottom wall panel has a plurality of securement openings formed therein.

5. A package construction comprising a bottom wall, a lower row of generally cylindrical articles lying in side-by-side adjacent relation transversely on said bottom wall, a pair of opposed sidewalls upstanding from opposite sides of said bottom wall adjacent to opposite ends of said articles, a plurality of aligned pairs of support tabs extending inwardly from opposite sidewalls with each pair overlying the centerline of a respective article of said lower row, an upper row of generally cylindrical articles each directly over a respective article of said lower row and having its opposite ends resting on a respective aligned pair of said support tabs, a top wall extending between said sidewalls over said upper row of articles, end flanges on the ends of said sidewalls extending inwardly toward and terminating short of each other to have an opening therebetween, and securing means securing said end flanges to said top and bottom walls.

6. The combination according to claim 5, said bottom, side and top walls being integrally fabricated of a single sheet of stiff flexible material.

7. The combination according to claim 5, said top wall comprising a pair of overlying panels.

8. The combination according to claim 7, said overlying panels being held in closing relationship by adhesive means.

9. The combination according to claim 7, said top wall panels being cut to provide handholds.

10. The combination according to claim 9, said overlying panels being held in closing relationship by bendable flaps extending from the inner edges of the handholds in one of said panels through the handholds in the other of said panels and folded about the inner edges of the handholds and over the outer surface of the said other panel.

H. A blank for a carry pack for cans and like articles. said blank comprising in side -by-side relation; a bottom wall panel. a pair of sidewall panels hingedly connected at their one sides to opposite sides of said bottom wall'panel. a pair of inner and outer top wall panels hingedly connected to a respective opposite other side of said sidewall panels; a flange panel hingedly connected to each of the other opposite sides of both of said sidewall panels; at least one pair of support tabs. one of each pair of supporttabs in each of said sidewall panels; said pair of support tabs being oppositely disposed and bendable inwardly toward each other when the blank is in anerected condition, further including a pair of generally parallel perforate lines extending in a generally U-shaped path inward from the ends of at least one pair of flange panels through said panels and thence arcuately through a portion of a respectively adjacent side panel and thence again through a respective flange panel, defining U-shaped strips adapted to be removed upon severance of the said perforate lines.

12. A blank for a carry pack for cans and like articles. said blank comprising in side-by-side relation; a bottom wall panel. a pair of sidewall panels hingedly connected at their one sides to opposite sides of said bottom wall panel, a pair of inner and outer top wall panels hingedly connected to a respective opposite other side of said sidewall panels; a flange panel hingedly connected to each of the other opposite sides of both of said sidewall panels; at least one pair of support tabs. one of each pair of support tabs in each of said sidewall panels; said pair of support tabs being oppositely disposed and bendable inwardly toward each other when the blank is in an erected condition, further including a glue flap hingedly connected to the side of said inner or outer top wall panel opposite to the side connected to a respective sidewall panel. 

